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Breakaway faction of UDA behind threats

Threatening leaflet posted by a breakaway faction claiming to represent North Belfast UDA sparks renewed infighting
Threatening leaflet posted by a breakaway faction claiming to represent North Belfast UDA sparks renewed infighting Threatening leaflet posted by a breakaway faction claiming to represent North Belfast UDA sparks renewed infighting

A BREAKAWAY faction of the UDA has embarked on a campaign of intimidation in north Belfast forcing residents from their homes.

The rogue faction, that emerged during the Union flag protests in 2012, have since taken control of the Tigers Bay and Upper Ardoyne.

Some members of the group were pictured at an anti-refugee protest held at Belfast city hall on Saturday organised by the Protestant Coalition.

Earlier this month a threatening leaflet, claiming to be from the 'North Belfast UDA' , was posted in hardline loyalist areas warning that "no mercy will be shown or second chances given" to people they suspected of being involved in crime.

The sinister leaflet stated: "We will show no leniency in carrying out the punishment your depraved actions deserve. We have already names and this will be acted on".

The statement sparked a further escalation in infighting between loyalist factions in the area.

It is understood that a woman was intimidated from her home in the Glenbryn area of upper Ardoyne on Sunday evening by a group of men who claimed to be from the UDA.

The house was smashed up by the gang with many of the householder's possessions destroyed.

It is believed that a second woman was also threatened and ordered to leave the area.

In the early hours of Monday morning a car was set alight outside the home of a relative of a man linked to the breakaway faction in what is thought to have been a revenge attack.

There were also reports that more residents had moved last night.

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said police received a report shortly after 7.30pm on Sunday that a group of men had called at a house in the Alliance Road area and threatened the householder.

"Investigations into these incidents, which may be linked, are ongoing. I am appealing for anyone with any information about either of these incidents to contact detectives at Tennent Street Police Station on the non-emergency number 101", he added.

Meanwhile police have said a picture of four men giving a Nazi salute outside Belfast city hall is not thought to have been taken during Saturday's anti refugee rally as was claimed on social media. A spokesman said the picture may have been taken at a different time and that police have not received any complaint about the incident.